Jack the Ripper

1987 retro games Commodore 64 games ZX Spectrum games Amstrad games

Text adventure based on the story of 19th century serial killer, who terrorized Whitechapel in East London.

Jack the Ripper was one of the many text adventures published in the 1980s on different platforms - they looked exactly the same, they had very similar construction, but each of them needed a gimmick or new mechanics to stand out of the crowd and this title actually had two. First of all, of course, was the story behind it - who did not hear about gruesome crimes of Jack the Ripper? This 19th century serial killer left his mark on the whole perception of Victorian London - it is hard to find story set in that era that would not bring memories of what was happening in the Whitechapel part of the city.

This idea gave the game Jack the Ripper the settings that is universally interesting for players - it is the ultimate mixture of mystery, true crime and gore that could move the imagination of any potential player. But the second gimmick of this title was rather unexpected - the game had, unlike most of the text adventures, a in-built time mechanism. What does that mean? It means that while you take your time to rethink your next step events can take place in the background of your story.

Jack the Ripper wasn’t the first text adventure developed by the developers from the St Bride’s School, but the reviewers of the era shared the view that it was their first that actually is worth the time to explore. The game included graphical elements, which pumped up the size of the whole game, so it was sold in 3 separate episodes. Of course, just like with any other text adventure, it required a certain mindframe from the players to immerse into text adventure.

Our rating
★★★☆☆

Video
★★★☆☆

Audio
☆☆☆☆☆

Playability
★★★☆☆

A NOT VERY SUBTLE ADVERT

add comment

Comment below

Your nick:

Comment:

Jack the Ripper screenshots

Games like Jack the Ripper

Murder on the Zinderneuf

1983
In 1936, aboard a luxury airship murder took place. What are the chances that you are the only detective on board capable of solving the mystery?

The Last Express

1997
Point-and-click adventure game with the twist. Actually quite few twists.

KGB

1992
Soviet Union in 1991, Captain Maksim Rukov of KGB is assigned a murder case that could turn the whole empire upside down.

Dark Seed

1992
You buy a house and, oh no, it is filled with alien ancient creatures from another dimension. I know, I know, every bloody week the same story...

Songfacts

Have you ever wondered what was behind your favour songs? Then wonder no more, find the answers on Songfacts. Through in... visit

jeu de gestion de basketball en ligne multijoueur true crime stories rosyjskie filmy wojenne